Illinois Divorce Laws

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

When it comes to divorce, the laws pertaining to alimony, asset, and property division, child custody and support and other related issues can vary from state to state. The differences between one state and the other might be enough for some to take their divorce on a road trip.

Facts About Divorce in Illinois

While divorce laws tend to vary from state to state, it is important to know the laws that oversee such matters here in Illinois. Here is a quick summary of some of the basics.

• Illinois requires residency for at least three months (90 days) in order to file for divorce in that state.
• Illinois is both a “fault” and “no-fault” divorce state. This means couples may pursue divorce under either category.
• Illinois requires couples to make use of a mediator when working out issues related to child custody.

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Signs Your Marriage May Be Headed for Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

It is not uncommon for a person to say that they were taken by complete surprise when served with divorce papers. When one spouse does not recognize the signs that their marriage is in trouble it often results in great emotional hardship. However, if you are paying attention, there are some signs that are not too hard to miss.

What to Watch For

Now, just because some appears on the list below does not necessarily mean your marriage is headed for divorce. In fact, if caught early enough, many problems or points of contention between couples can be worked out through counseling. However, both spouses must be willing to put their full energy into correcting any problems and committed to ensuring they do not reappear in the future.

• When a spouse is overly judgmental, criticizing every little thing about their partner, it can lead to problems. Spouses need to accept each other for who they are because constant criticism is rarely an effective means for change.

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Will You Be Filing for Divorce Soon?

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Even the best marriages encounter issues and difficulties that couples must work through in order to make the relationship work. However, sometimes the size of the problem or the sheer number of issues that come between spouses are just too much to overcome. They may fight the notion at first, but eventually, a couple will come to the conclusion that divorce is probably their best course of action.

The Little Things That Add Up

Before the decision is made to seek a divorce from that person you promised to spend the rest of your life with, it is likely an individual encountered and dealt with one or more problem that seemed to drive a wedge into the marriage. Below we will examine some of the issues that plague married couples, which often serve as indicators that divorce is on the horizon.

• If you cannot be open and honest with your spouse for fear of being made to feel inferior or that your vulnerability will be used against you later it may be a sign that your relationship lacks the capacity for healthy communication.

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Dealing with Misconceptions about Divorce at a Young Age

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

When young people decide to get married they often face a variety of outside opinions and attitudes about their decision. The same is true for when that marriage ends and the couple, both of whom are still very young, decide to get divorced. It is no less difficult just because they are still young.

Young Couples and Divorce

Divorce, regardless of the age of the spouses or number of years of marriage, features some very common issues. However, those who divorce at a young age and after only a few years together frequently encounter a number of issues unique to their situation.

Do not let anyone tell you that your divorce will be easy because you are young. Your divorce is no less emotional or traumatic because of your age.

Some may attempt to minimize what you are going through because you did not spend years and years together or have children.

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Young and Getting Divorced

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

It is not uncommon for young couples to get married. In fact, it is almost expected. What seems far less familiar is when a young couple goes through divorce, even after only a few years of marriage. The hard reality is that, regardless of their age or how long they were married, when a couple realizes their marriage just is not working then the best course of action may well be divorce.

Divorcing While Still in Your Twenties

Divorce, regardless of at what age or length of the marriage, is no less emotional for the couple; the decision to end a relationship that was supposed to last forever is rarely easy. However, younger couples may find a smoother, post-divorce path, and when a marriage ends after only a few years, the process tends to be less drawn out for a few key reasons.

• It is found that young couples getting married these days are more likely to have entered into marriage with a signed and valid prenuptial agreement.

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All About the Illinois Divorce Process

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Divorce is a fairly common thing in the United States, with the Illinois Department of Public Health reporting that 29,331 divorces were granted in the state of Illinois in 2016. Divorce can be a messy process, spanning months, or even years in difficult cases. There are many things to consider, like assets, money, debts and even children. The divorce process can be overwhelming, but with the help of a lawyer, it can be simplified. Filing a Petition

After you have made the decision to file for a divorce, the first step is to file what is called a petition. A petition is simply just the formal way of asking the court of the county where you reside for a divorce. Even if the divorce is a mutual agreement, one spouse must file the petition that will be served to the other. The petition will state the two individuals involved in the divorce, information about the residency requirements and the reason for the divorce. In Illinois, you qualify for divorce if you have lived in the state for more than 90 days. You can choose whether or not you want to state a reason for divorce or if you want to file a no-fault divorce. The state of Illinois recognizes the following as grounds for divorce:

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Ways to Reduce Divorce Stress

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

There are a lot of things to think about when you get a divorce. There is the house, the kids, your bank accounts—you name it. When you get a divorce, your lawyers write up what is called a divorce settlement, a legal document that lays out all the terms of your marriage, who is allocated which property, how parental responsibilities are allocated and the terms of child support or spousal maintenance, if it is required.

All of these things can be difficult to negotiate and can leave you worrying if you are getting what you deserve. All of this worry turns into stress and when you are stressed, you are not yourself. Even though divorce can be tolling, it is important for you to remember to stay as calm as possible. Here are five tips to reduce stress during your divorce. Identify Your Stress Triggers Even though stress is a very predictable side effect of divorce, it is not healthy for you. Not only can it take a toll on your emotional health, your physical health is also at risk. Once you identify what the causes of your stress are, you can take steps to eliminate them or reduce their effect on you. Keep Up With Your Health During a divorce, you can forget to take care of yourself while you are wrapped up in other matters. Eating lots of healthy fruits and vegetables and making sure you are drinking plenty of water is a good way to help yourself feel physically well. It is also important that you get plenty of sleep and you exercise a few times a week. If you feel good physically, it will help you feel good emotionally. Talk with Others Keeping in touch with friends or family during your divorce is important--they can offer you the moral support that you need during this time in your life. This is also the time for you to cut toxic people out of your life so that you can be surrounded with positivity. Seeing a professional is also always an option if you feel you would benefit from sharing your thoughts with one. This can be a good way to vent about the stressors in your life. Set Realistic Expectations It is only natural and healthy that you set goals for yourself, but it is also important to remember that you should set these goals with your specific situation in mind. You should try to remember that you need to set realistic expectations for yourself and others in your life during your divorce. Setting unrealistic expectations can be a major source of stress if you do not accomplish what you hope to get done in the time that you wanted. Contact an Aurora Divorce Lawyer

It is not a secret--divorce is stressful. You are going through one of the most difficult times in your life and a lot of things in your future are uncertain. Even though divorce can be stressful by nature, it does not have to be. With the help of an experienced DuPage County divorce attorney, you can get the peace of mind that you need. Contact the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. to discuss your situation and easily move forward with your divorce. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

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Signs a Marriage Is Over

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

All marriages were are not created equally. Sometimes, for whatever reason, it just does not work out and it would be better if the two of you went your separate ways. But knowing when to call it quits can be a stressful and confusing time. While there is no magic answer to exactly when you should file for divorce, there are things you can consider when making your decision. You Are Only Staying Together for the Children Children understand and pick up on far more than most people give them credit for. They will know if their parents are in an unhappy marriage and studies have shown that parents staying in an unhappy relationship can actually be worse for your children than a divorce. While divorce will probably affect your children in some way, it will not be anywhere as damaging as growing up in a conflict-ridden home. You and Your Spouse Cannot Seem to Resolve Your Conflicts If you have tried to improve your conflict resolution and have even been to see a marriage counselor and still have not been able to overcome your issues, it may be time to think about a divorce. Counseling only works if both spouses are willing to critically look at their behaviors and change what is not working. If one spouse is not completely in it to win it, there is no way of reconciling what has been broken. You Are Being Treated Poorly Marriage should mean that you are being loved and respected by your spouse. If you have found that you are no longer being treated in a way that you deserve, it can be time to move on. If you are being abused, whether it be emotionally, physically, or in any other way, you should take immediate action by getting a domestic violence restraining order while you file for divorce. Nobody deserves to be treated in an abusive manner. Consult with a DuPage County Divorce Attorney

Even if you are not completely set on the idea of divorce, it can be wise to at least meet with a knowledgeable Aurora divorce lawyer to discuss your specific situation. While deciding to divorce is never an easy decision to make, in some situations, it is for the best. If you decide to go through with a divorce, the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. can help you with every aspect, from property division to dividing parenting responsibilities. To set up a consultation, call the office at 630-409-8184.

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Important Illinois Divorce Terms

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

When you are going through a divorce, it can be a confusing process, especially because of all the words and legal terms that are used in divorce proceedings and paperwork. Understanding all of the legal jargon that is used during this process is crucial to you reaching a divorce settlement that you are satisfied with. Even some words that have normal meanings can have different meanings when used in a legal setting, which is why it is important that you educate yourself on specific words and phrases used in Illinois divorce proceedings. Marital Property: The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act states that marital property is all property, including debts, that is acquired by either spouse during the marriage.

Non-Marital Property: The Act also states that there are exceptions to marital property, which is called non-marital property. Examples of non-marital property include:

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Uncontested Divorce: How to Speed Up the Illinois Divorce Process

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

In a divorce, things can get ugly and they can get ugly fast. Once you have made the decision to separate from your spouse, the last thing you want to do is spend months, even years, arguing with them over certain things, attending court hearings, and waiting for the courts to finalize everything. This is the case for many couples who cannot come to an agreement on things. When you make the decision to divorce, you want the divorce to go as quickly and as smoothly as possible. This is where a joint simplified dissolution of marriage may come in handy. What Is a Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage?

This type of divorce is an uncontested divorce, meaning there are not any points of disagreement or argument between the two parties who are getting divorced. Generally, for the divorce to be uncontested, both spouses have to agree on:

• Division of the marital property;

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